A brand-new University Road

There is much talk about University Road in Karachi these days which is also the butt of several jokes in relation to its present condition but little knowledge about its history and the importance it has played in the lives of people and specially the young throughout its existence, specially after the shifting of the University of Karachi in 1959 to this area.

How much has the environment changed around this road can be ascertained from the fact that in its early days a weekly article in a local Urdu newspaper had the headline “12 miles away from Karachi”. This was a regular column on the activities on the campus of this university.

The university was really at that time a bit far from the city and while some students had their own transport the majority travelled in buses. Initially, this road was called ‘Country Club Road’ and was renamed ‘University Road’ after the establishment of the university. The transformation of this road from a quiet artery to a bustling urban artery came about after the development of surrounding areas like Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Gulistan-e-Johar in the period between 1960 and 1990. Residential areas gave birth to commercial ventures that sprouted more buildings and consequently more traffic. With the growing population and business houses rampant traffic now clog this once serene road which was once mostly used by university students and staff. As if it was not bad enough that the traffic on this road multiplied manifolds but that it was included in a traffic improvement scheme and dug up with promises of swift work that will change the fortunes of this road. As happens with many projects several changes were incorporated during the implementation of this scheme, delaying it from one day to another and even from one year to the other.

Unmindful of the growing congestion and traffic on this road work on the project continues as obviously it cannot be abandoned midway to cause even more congestion and bottlenecks on this important artery of the city. It has slowed down considerably, but now there are news that it will soon restart with a vigour and everyone is keeping their fingers crossed.

That was just a brief note on the development work on this important artery of the city, but the real story is the story of this artery leading to the University of Karachi and how things have changed at the University itself.

Indeed, things have changed in the total academic atmosphere of the country, and especially in Karachi, after the restriction on student union elections. Elections to student unions and as they were called in some educational institutions student councils used to be held on the same day all over the city. On this day the entire city wore a festive look with all educational institutions decorated with the banners and posters of the various contestants.

In the days leading to the polling all institutions and specially the University of Karachi used to be humming with activities. Corner meetings of various candidates spread all over the campus provided food for thought and glimpses of the candidate’s manifestos.

The lawn of the arts section was the Nishtar Park for all candidates at the University who, turn by turn, presented their points of view in a very disciplined manner. Copies of manifestos and pamphlets were distributed and seriously considered by the audience. The main thing was that there was no violence. The University Road in those days would also be humming with activities with various processions representing various candidates travelling up and down and raising slogans for the candidates they were supporting.

University Road is not just some ordinary road but has a history of its own. Famous figures have travelled it to achieve their academic credentials on the basis of which they have risen to extraordinary posts like chairman senate, provincial ombudsman, governors and other even more higher positions. No wonder that this road is so much in the news. Keep your fingers crossed. This time around the government seems seriously intent on completing this road, and we will soon forget the trials and tribulations and enjoy the benefits of a brand-new University Road.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026